FIFA: 'World Cup VAR replays, explanations to be shown on stadium screens'

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 18 April 2018

FIFA announces that VAR replays and written explanations at the World Cup will be displayed on screens inside stadiums at to help fans understand the decisions.

FIFA has confirmed that Video Assistant Referee replays and written explanations at the World Cup will be displayed on screens inside stadiums to help fans understand the decisions.

World football's governing body plans to place an official in the video operations room who will listen to the VAR's decision and communicate the information to television and stadium personnel.

"We will have graphics on the giant screens, we will have replays after the decision on the giant screens, and we will also inform the fans about the outcome of a VAR incident and review," Sebastian Runge, group leader of football innovation at FIFA, told Sky Sports News.

FIFA referee chief Pierluigi Collina, meanwhile, confirmed that post-match press conferences may be held to explain on-field decisions, but only in extraordinary circumstances.

"If something should happen that we think should properly and accurately be explained - and it doesn't matter if it's related to VAR or something different - if it is a matter to explain the background of a decision, as an exception certainly we will do it," the Italian said. "But it won't be a post-match press conference for every match, explaining every single decision taken during every single match.

"The goal of VAR is to avoid major mistakes. The objective is not to have clear and obvious mistakes committed on the field of play. This is the target, the goal is not to re-referee the match using technology. There will continue to be incidents when a final answer will not be given and there will be different opinions."

FIFA will hold a training camp this month for the 99 referees and assistant referees that it has selected to take part in the World Cup in Russia, while 13 VARs are being trained in Italy, with more officials expected to be added to that list at a later date.